For the 16th consecutive year, Deer Valley Resort will host the world’s best aerial and mogul skiers during the Visa Freestyle Ski World Cup, February 1-4. This must-see event will be held just a short walk from the Snow Park base area at the same venue that was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics. Two of Deer Valley’s athletes share some insights into what makes this event special and why they call Deer Valley® home.

The History

Born in Butte, Montana, Brad and Bryon Wilson were raised in the snow. Early promise in their ski careers prompted the family to move to Utah so that the brothers could train with the Wasatch Freestyle Team. Their decision certainly paid off. Specializing in mogul skiing, the 24-year-old Brad made his Olympic debut in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, while the 28-year-old Bryon stood on the podium at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, where he walked away with a bronze medal.

Come early February, Brad will be competing at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup hosted by Deer Valley Resort. Both have seen success on this course in the past and will be seeking a podium spot this year. In 2014, Brad won the dual moguls and took silver in moguls at the U.S. National Championships at this venue. Bryon cracked the top 10 with a ninth place finish at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Deer Valley in 2015.

Unmatched Venue

Competing on the freestyle mogul circuit, Brad and Bryon have traveled all over the world. While their travels have taken them to competitions in Russia, Norway, France, Canada and Japan, they say no other World Cup venue compares to their home course. “My favorite part about competing at Deer Valley is the atmosphere,” Brad says. “Deer Valley has become the most legendary place to compete on World Cup. Between the crowd and the venue, Deer Valley makes this World Cup one of the most important, if not the most important, event of the year.”

And when Brad says crowds, he means it: During the 2016 World Cup, over 6,000 people came out to watch these athletes compete as they barreled down the moguls and soared through the moonlit skies. With the Champion ski run descending straight into the middle of the crowd, you are truly immersed in the action.

Skiing During the Event

Since all events take place at night, the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup serves as a great complement to your ski vacation. Be sure to check out some of Brad and Bryon’s favorite parts of the mountain during the day: Ontario Bowl or the Sultan Express chairlift on a powder day, or Mountaineer Express for some perfectly manicured groomers. Then you can watch Brad take on his favorite run on the mountain: Champion.

It’s not only the world-class competition venue that sets Deer Valley apart, but the rest of the resort.

“I have been all around the world with my sport and had the opportunity to ski so many different ski areas,” Brad says. “And Deer Valley is truly unique. With its service and no crowds, it makes that ski area very hard to beat.”

Schedule

The 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup kicks off with a free live concert from The Revivalists, a New Orleans based alternative rock band, on Park City’s lower Main Street on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. The skiing action gets underway on Thursday, February 2 with the men’s and women’s mogul competitions. Aerials will debut on the White Owl run on Friday, February 3, and the event concludes with the thrilling men’s and women’s dual moguls finals on Saturday, February 4, at 7 p.m.

All events are free and each final will take place under the lights. This is an event that the whole family can enjoy. Plus a fireworks display caps off every evening. Click here for the full event schedule. Cheer on Brad and the rest of these world-class athletes as they take on Deer Valley’s terrain.

Originally written by RootsRated for Deer Valley.

Featured image provided by Deer Valley Resort